1-Day Mount Bisoke Hiking Tour – Bisoke Mountain, also known as Visoke, is an extinct volcano in northern Rwanda. It is one of the 8 volcanic mountains within the Virunga ranges spanning Rwanda, Uganda, and D.R. Congo at the edge of the East African Rift Valley.
Bisoke is located on the border of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, though its summit is in Rwanda.
It stands at an altitude of 3,711 meters, making it the 5th highest among the Virunga Mountains.
A hike up this extinct volcano is phenomenal, exposing visitors to great amazing views, smoky volcanoes in the region, amazing mountain vegetation, and a beautiful crater lake at its peak.
Hiking Bisoke volcano is a challenging yet rewarding adventure that most adventure seekers long for.
Walking through the slippery, unpaved trails and relying on a walking stick for support to reach the top is a lifetime experience that tests your endurance, but the summit reveals the worth of the hike.
Detailed Mount Bisoke Hiking Itinerary
on this 1-Day Mount Bisoke Hiking Tour, a typical trekking day to the top of Mount Bisoke commences at 7:00 am from Kinigi park headquarters, similar to most other treks in Volcanoes National Park.
After a briefing session at 8:00 am, trekkers set off with their hiking gear, snacks/packed lunch, and a mountain guide experienced in the terrain and general weather dynamics of Mount Bisoke.
The trailhead of Mount Bisoke is about a 45-minute drive from the park headquarters via a bumpy road. It is not a very difficult hike, and even inexperienced hikers can trek to the top and descend back to the base on the same day.
Remember to hire an onsite porter for about $10-15 to carry your heavy luggage, trekking gear, and snacks along the hike.
Be sure to pick up a well-crafted hiking stick from the ranger before starting the hike, as navigating the steep and muddy terrain requires all the support you can get.
As you ascend the higher terrains of Mount Bisoke, you may encounter several species of primates endemic to the area, enjoy great scenery perfect for photography or videography, and listen to birds singing in the bushes, all making the adventure worthwhile.
Continue your trek, marveling at a variety of tree species and flowering shrubs, accompanied by the sweet tunes of birds as you navigate around thorny plants.
Upon reaching the peak of Mount Bisoke, your efforts will be rewarded with breathtaking views of a stunning crater lake, one of the most spectacular in Rwanda and the entire Virunga region.
The sight, covered with a large cloud, makes the temperatures relatively high and adds to the allure of this long day climb.
The 1-Day Mount Bisoke Hiking Tour concludes around 5:00 pm, and travelers descend to the starting point, meeting their driver guide to proceed back to Kigali, marking the end of this dramatic adventure excursion in Rwanda.
